Gas-monitoring apparatus for detecting bowel movements and method of use

ABSTRACT

A room monitoring device designed and intended to detect a bowel movement (BM) of a person occupying the room, such as a baby or infant or an adult with special needs or in a care facility. The device tests the air for particular substances such as, but not limited to, methane and hydrogen sulfide. The test is performed multiple times per minute to reduce the chances of a false-positive detection. Once the device detects a positive BM, it alerts a user via Wi-Fi message, SMS text message, visual alerts (e.g., flashing lights), and/or audio alerts. This device may be paired with existing monitoring devices, such as a baby monitor with a remote camera.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of and claims priority in U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 15/615,483, filed Jun. 6, 2017, which is acontinuation-in-part of and claims priority in U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 14/606,494, filed Jan. 27, 2015, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,671,383which claims priority in U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.61/931,880, filed Jan. 27, 2014, all of which are incorporated herein byreference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to a gas monitoring apparatus,and more specifically to an apparatus for monitoring humans, such asbabies and infants, for bowel movements while they sleep using gasdetecting elements.

2. Description of the Related Art

Often children wake crying during the night. This is often caused by abowel movement (BM) happening during the night, and diaper rash or otherdiscomforts can wake the child. It is impossible for a parent to knowwhether the child needs to have their diaper changed without physicallychecking the diaper for a BM. This can be detrimental when the child iscrying for no reason, but the parent is forced to wake and check thechild anyway.

Older adults in care or special needs patients would similarly benefitfrom a passive monitoring device to alert healthcare workers when thepatient has suffered a BM. The worker would be alerted and could aid thepatient to prevent bed sores etc.

What is needed is a method of actively monitoring a sleeping child andindicating if a bowel movement has occurred through the use of sensorswhich prevents unnecessary checking of diapers.

Heretofore there has not been available a system or method for detectingbowel movements with the advantages and features of the presentinvention.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally provides a sensor apparatus fordetecting gasses associated with bowel movements, such as, but notlimited to, methane or hydrogen sulfide. In a preferred embodiment, thedetector will take multiple samples over a desired time period to avoidfalse positives. The sensor apparatus is capable of alerting parents orothers when a bowel movement is detected via sounds, lights, wirelessmessages to a mobile device, or other means. This allows the sensorapparatus to be paired with other existing products (e.g., babymonitoring systems) without requiring additional equipment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings constitute a part of this specification and includeexemplary embodiments of the present invention illustrating variousobjects and features thereof.

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic representation of a preferred embodiment of thepresent invention and elements with which it can communicate through.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a simple relationship between variouscomponents of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic representation of a sample status screen of agraphical user interface associated with the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an alternative representation thereof.

FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic representation of a floorplan having anembodiment of the present invention installed throughout.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart diagramming the steps taken in practicing andembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a three-dimensional isometric view of an alternativeembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is an exploded three-dimensional isometric view thereof.

FIG. 9 is diagrammatic chart showing the profile of an event associatedwith the embodiment thereof.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart diagramming the steps taken in practicing amethod of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS I. Introduction andEnvironment

As required, detailed aspects of the present invention are disclosedherein, however, it is to be understood that the disclosed aspects aremerely exemplary of the invention, which may be embodied in variousforms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosedherein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis forthe claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in theart how to variously employ the present invention in virtually anyappropriately detailed structure.

Certain terminology will be used in the following description forconvenience in reference only and will not be limiting. For example, up,down, front, back, right and left refer to the invention as orientatedin the view being referred to. The words, “inwardly” and “outwardly”refer to directions toward and away from, respectively, the geometriccenter of the aspect being described and designated parts thereof.Forwardly and rearwardly are generally in reference to the direction oftravel, if appropriate. Additional examples include a mobile smartdevice including a display device for viewing a typical web browser oruser interface will be commonly referred to throughout the followingdescription. The type of device, computer, display, or user interfacemay vary when practicing an embodiment of the present invention. Saidterminology will include the words specifically mentioned, derivativesthereof and words of similar meaning.

Gasses associated with bowel movements which would trigger the presentinvention include, but are not limited to: Indole (C8H7N),3-methylindole (C9H9N), hydrogen Sulfide (H2S), Amines, Ethanoic Acid(C2H4O2), Butyric Acid (C4H8O2), and methane (CH4). These compounds areincluded amongst a number of outputs from human solid waste. For thepurposes of the present application, any or all of these outputs shouldbe considered to be used or to be detected for by the sensor systemembodying the present invention.

Two types of gaseous sensor systems exist in the market place: (1)electrochemical sensors; and (2) metal oxide semiconductor (MOS)sensors. Either sensor type could be used in an embodiment of thepresent invention; however an MOS sensor is utilized in the preferredembodiment. The preferred sensor, MiCS-5524, is capable of measuring anddetecting volatile organic compounds in a relative manner, such as bydetecting changes in the environment, which provides an output ofresistance change. The sensor can measure virtually any reducing and/oraromatic gas: such as: ammonia, carbon monoxide, hydrogen sulfide etc.,as well as any compound mentioned above. The MOS sensors are combustedby the presence of reducing gases at the sensor surface, and the releaseof electrons from these gases causes resistance across the sensor plateto drop.

Odors from human waste relate to foods eaten, not age. The emissions areessentially the same between infants and adults, but the presentapplication focuses our technology on the most common denominator:hydrogen sulfide, but other gasses must also be tested for. As is wellknown, infants less than 6 months that are breast feeding do not emitmuch if any odor. Detecting latent odorless gasses would be highlybeneficial to the purpose of the present invention.

II. Preferred Embodiment Bowel Movement (BM) Sensor System 2

Referring to the figures in more detail, FIG. 1 shows a diagrammaticrepresentation of a preferred BM sensor system 2, including a BMsensor/detector 4 for detecting a BM based upon gasses in the room, amobile device 6 for receiving alerts from the BM sensor, and a wirelessnetwork 8 over which the mobile device 6 and the detector/sensor 4communicate.

The detector 4 can also be used in conjunction with standard monitoringdevices 10, such as a baby monitor with audio and/or video surveillance.Similarly, the detector 4 may access the wireless network 8 directly, orit may interact with a network relay 40 device for communicating betweenthe network 8 and the detector 4. Alternatively, the relay 40 may onlyallow direct communication between the mobile device 6 and the detector4, wherein other network access is limited or cut off.

As shown, the detector 4 includes sensors for detecting gas within theroom, such as a methane sensor 12, a hydrogen sulfide sensor 14, orother sensors capable of detecting gasses which are emitted as part ofsolid or liquid human waste for detection with the BM detector 4. Amicroprocessor 16 receives data from the sensors 12, 14 and determineswhether or not an alert should be sounded based upon preset orpredetermined thresholds. The microprocessor can facilitate an alert bycreating a noise amplified through a speaker 18, by flashing one or morelights 20 located on the detector 4, or by sending a wireless alert tothe mobile device 6 using a Wi-Fi antenna 22 or other means ofcommunication with the mobile device 6.

To increase the range of notifications, the audio or visual alertscreated by the detector 4 through the use of the speaker 18 or thelights 20, respectively, a monitoring device 10 can be used. Thismonitoring device may or may not include a graphical user interface 34,a separate speaker or alarm 36 for the audio alert, and a remote camera38 for the visual alert. This monitoring device 10 could be a standalonebaby monitoring system to alert a parent if the baby is crying or notsleeping.

The mobile device 6, such as a standard smartphone device, includes aseparate microprocessor 24, a speaker 26, an antenna 28, a graphicaluser interface (GUI) 30, and messaging software 32. The GUI may be atouchscreen interface, and may allow the user to directly make changesto the settings of the detector 4 using wireless access throughsoftware. The messaging software may include typical SMS messages sentusing a service associated with the detector 4, or a completely separatesoftware application or APP downloaded from a wireless network for usespecifically with the detector 4.

FIG. 2 shows a relationship between the mobile device 6 and the detector4. The detector shown here includes controls 50 for accessing thesettings of the detector directly. These settings can also be controlledwirelessly using the mobile device 6. A typical GUI 30 display screen onthe mobile device includes such features as: ambient status 42 of theroom being monitored; alert statuses 44 associated with various chemicalcompounds typically associated with a BM; information “buttons” 46 foraccessing information about each substance or air quality value beingdetected for; and a settings pulldown button 48 for choosing differentviews or altering software settings of the mobile device 6 or of thedetector 4.

The detector 4 may include controls 50 which allow direct access to thesoftware or hardware settings of the detector. A speaker 18 locatedsomewhere on the body of the detector delivers audio alerts, while adisplay or light 20 delivers visual alerts. Here, the GUI is also shownto include settings information that may be accessible via the mobiledevice 6. The GUI could simply flash when an alert is detected, maydisplay the settings of the detector, or may otherwise give visualalerts to the user.

FIGS. 3 and 4 are examples of GUI display screens 52 that may beaccessible via the mobile device 6 or the display portion of thedetector 4. FIG. 3, for example, shows the information status of H2S(Hydrogen Sulfide) being detected in the room by the detector 4. Thisdisplay screen may be accessed by selecting the information button 46associated with H2S on a home screen as shown in FIG. 2.

The status 54 of the selected element or room factor (e.g., temperature,gas presence, humidity) is displayed prominently, along with a checkmarkor other indicator that everything is normal, or another indicator ifthe levels of the selected room factor or element are outside the setparameters. The parameters may be set using a scrolling bar 58 fordetermining when the alarm will be triggered by that room factor, if atall. A description of the element or room factor being reviewed is shownat 56. FIG. 4 shows a similar display, using air temperature as anexample. Here, the sliding bar 58 includes an upper range and a lowerrange, allowing the user to customize that particular room factor evenfurther.

FIG. 5 shows a floorplan 60 for a building, such as a home, hospital, orhealthcare facility. Three rooms 62.1, 62.2, 62.3 are displayed, andthree detectors 4.1, 4.2, and 4.3 are placed in the rooms respectively.A central relay 40 relays all data received from the detectors 4.1, 4.2,4.3 to a stationary or mobile computing device, or multiple devices, toalert staff of a BM or other room irregularity. This setup isparticularly useful in an adult care facility.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart demonstrating some steps taken while practicing apreferred embodiment of the present invention. The process starts at102. A sensor is placed in a location at 104, preferably in a child orpatient's room where a BM may occur while that person is sleeping. Acheck is performed at 106 whether an existing room monitoring device,such as a baby monitor, exists.

If an existing room monitoring device exists at 106, there is adetermination at 108 if there is also a remote video camera associatedwith the existing room monitoring device. If yes, then the visualnotification feature of the sensor is activate at 110. Either way, anaudio notification is activated at 112.

Regardless of whether an existing monitor exists or not at 106, thesensor device is synched with one or more mobile computing devices at114. This allows alert messages or other communication to be sent fromthe sensor/detector device and the mobile device(s). The user may alsoset desired settings 116 of the detector using the mobile computingdevice or the detector itself. These settings are the preferences forhow sensitive the detector will be, and will be the basis for theambient room atmosphere.

After this is all setup, the sensor actively monitors the ambientatmosphere of the room at 118. A check is constantly performed at 120 todetermine whether the ambient room factors are within normal levels. Ifyes, then the cycle continues.

Once an abnormality is determined at 120, alert notifications must besent out by the sensor device. If there is an existing monitoring deviceat 122 and a remote camera is present at 124, then the sensor willflash, light up, or otherwise activate a visual display that can be seenvia a remote monitoring device connected to the remote camera at 126. Atthe same time, audio alerts, such as beeps or buzzing noise, will beproduced by the sensor device at 128. This also will be sent through themonitoring device and played on a speaker associated with the existingmonitoring device.

At the same time, or if there is no exiting monitor in place, a wirelessnotification is sent to the mobile device(s) associated with thesensor/detector at 130. These notifications may be sent via SMSmessaging, or software specifically associated with the sensor/detectordevice, or through other means (e.g., automated telephone call). Onceall alerts are sent, the process ends at 132. The process mayautomatically revert to a detection of ambient atmosphere at 118 oncethe issues associated with the alert have been addressed, or the systemmay require manual reset.

III. Alternative Embodiment Event Sensor System 202

FIGS. 7-9 show an alternative embodiment event sensor system 202, whichuses an event sensor 204 to detect an event, such as a fecal event,urine event, emesis, or other important event in a space, and candetermine whether cleaning or other immediate response is necessary.

Primarily, this system 202 could be used in hospitals, nursing homes, orcould even be adapted for use in nurseries or for home use. The sensor204, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, includes a bottom housing 206 and a tophousing 208. The top housing has a power port opening 210 for receivingpower at a power input 216, a data connection opening 212 for receivingdata connection cables, such as USB ports 218 and networking or Ethernetcable port 220 (e.g. Category 6 connector). The top housing alsocontains openings 214 for various gas sensors 222 and a motion sensor224 for detecting elements of an event. The sensors 222, 224, USB ports218, Ethernet port 220, power input 216, and all relevant components aremounted to a printed circuit board (PCB) 226 within the top 208 andbottom 206 housing. Each gas sensor 222 includes a heating element forigniting and detecting various chemical elements.

The four gas sensors 222 detect various chemical elements which, whensensed in specific amounts, will indicate a specific event hastriggered. A first gas sensor may sense IAQ Ammonia, sulfide, andbenzene. A second gas sensor may sense Hydrogen Sulfide. A third gassensor may sense Ammonia. A fourth gas sensor may sense VOC Gas (e.g.Alcohol, Toluene, and Acetone). In a preferred embodiment, however, asshown in FIG. 9, each gas sensor 222 detects a broadband of gasses withvarying selectivity. Each are not specific to a single gas species butare optimized for different applications. This allows for a moreaccurate determination of when an event occurs. Coupled with a motionsensor 224, temperature sensor, and humidity sensor, a specific eventcan be detected for, resulting in assigning an appropriate response andalerting the proper crews what sort of event they need to prepare forcleaning and servicing the patient.

Through use and testing using this combination of sensors, specificprofiles have been determined for various events, including fecal event,urine event, or emesis.

FIG. 9 shows the occurrence of an “event” as detected by one or more ofthe various sensors. The sensors detect various chemicals, and based onthe profile 228 of the detected event amongst the various sensors, thesensor system can determine what type of event has occurred, whichdirectly leads to what type of response is required. In addition to thegas sensors 222, and motion sensor 224, there are temperature andhumidity sensors which detect temperature and humidity in the vicinityof the patient or occupant. Tests have shown that both temperature andrelative humidity increase at the time of an event and decreasesignificantly after cleaning. Each of the four gas sensors 222 detectmultiple gasses of various profiles, each optimized for differentapplications. As shown in FIG. 9, each of the four sensors is reportingdifferent levels of response, but the variances would indicate what typeof event has occurred. In an embodiment, the four sensors could includeone MQ135 sensor, one MQ136 sensor, one MQ137 sensor, and one MQ138sensor. In addition, relative humidity and changes in temperature wouldalso add to the generation of the profile.

FIG. 10 shows a flowchart stepping through the process of practicingthis embodiment of the present invention. The process starts at 250. Asbefore, the sensor is placed in location 252, such as in a room or inthe vicinity of a patient/subject. The sensor beings detecting theambient atmosphere at 254, and the sensors and heaters are activated at256, thereby detecting temperature, humidity, movement, gas levels, andother various attributes of the surroundings of the sensor.

As long as normal atmosphere is detected at 258, the monitoring of theroom continues. If abnormal atmosphere is detected at 258, a second,optional testing is done at 260. If this second test determines a falsealarm at 262, monitoring continues at 254. However, if the second testconfirms abnormal atmospheric conditions at 262, a profile is generatedat 264. That profile is based on all sensor data, including motion,temperature, humidity, and gas and particle detection levels.

At 266, the generated profile is compared with existing known profilesto determine if the event is a known type of event. If a matchingprofile is detected at 268, the sensor system generates and sends anappropriate notification to the user at 270 and the process ends at 272with the user responding to the event appropriately.

If a mating profile is not detected at 268, that means that the sensorhas detected something abnormal, but it is not recognized based on itsprofile as any known even type. A new profile is then generated at 274,and a request for inspection of the room is sent at 276. Someone mustinspect the room and determine what the event is, and provide profiledata at 278 to the new profile. This may be identifying this new profilewith a previously known event, or by creating an entirely new event-typethat wasn't previously being monitored for by the system. The newprofile is stored at 280 for future reference, and the process ends at272.

All of the potential evens have specific atmospheric profiles that canbe measured by the sensor(s) in real time. Information can be storedlocally and/or sent to an offsite server for analysis, review, and thencan be presented to the user via a web interface or some other displaymeans, allowing, for example, hospital or nursing home staff to view,customize, and report event data.

It is to be understood that while certain embodiments and/or aspects ofthe invention have been shown and described, the invention is notlimited thereto and encompasses various other embodiments and aspects.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and desiredto be secured by Letters Patent is:
 1. An event detector system forplacement in an occupied room, the system comprising: an event detectorcomprising a housing, a microprocessor, a first gas sensor, a second gassensor, a motion sensor, a temperature sensor, and a humidity sensor;said first gas sensor comprising a broadband gas sensor calibrated at afirst broadband gas spectrum; said second gas sensor comprising abroadband gas sensor calibrated at a second broadband gas spectrum; eachof said first and second gas sensors connected to a heater element forvaporizing and detecting said respective first and second broadband gasspectrums; said microprocessor configured to receive sensor informationfrom said first gas sensor, said second gas sensor, said motion sensor,said temperature sensor, and said humidity sensor; said microprocessorfurther configured to generate a profile based upon said sensorinformation; said microprocessor further configured to compare saidprofile to known profiles and to make a determination whether an eventhas occurred; and said event detector further comprising a notificationdevice configured for sending a notification upon determination ofwhether an event has occurred.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein saidrespective first and second broadband gas spectrums contain substanceschosen from the list comprising: Indole (C8H7N), 3-methylindole (C9H9N),hydrogen Sulfide (H2S), Amines, Ethanoic Acid (C2H4O2), Butyric Acid(C4H8O2), Ammonia, sulfide, benzene, Ammonia, Alcohol, Toluene, Acetone,and methane (CH4).
 3. The system of claim 1, wherein said first andsecond gas sensors are electrochemical sensors.
 4. The system of claim1, wherein said first gas sensor is a metal oxide semiconductor (MOS)sensor.
 5. The system of claim 1, further comprising: said first gassensor and said second gas sensor are configured to test said respectivefirst broadband gas spectrum and said second broadband gas spectrum atleast twice over a predetermined time period; and wherein an alert isgenerated upon positive detection of said respective first and secondbroadband gas spectrums at each test over said predetermined timeperiod.
 6. The system of claim 1, further comprising: said mobilecomputing device including a software program including a user interfaceconfigured to relay information from said event detector to the user;said software program comprising a messaging application configured toreceive alert messages from said event detector; and said softwareprogram further comprising an interface application for adjusting aplurality of range settings associated with said event detector.
 7. Thesystem of claim 6, wherein said range of settings associated with saidevent detector are selected from the list comprising: Indole (C8H7N)levels, 3-methylindole (C9H9N) levels, hydrogen Sulfide (H2S) levels,Amine levels, Ethanoic Acid (C2H4O2) levels, Butyric Acid (C4H8O2)levels, methane (CH4) levels, ambient temperature, and humidity.
 8. Thesystem of claim 7, further comprising an adjustable upper range limitfor said range of settings, said adjustable upper range limit adjustableusing said software program of said mobile computing device.
 9. Thesystem of claim 8, further comprising an adjustable lower range limitfor said range of settings, said adjustable lower range limit adjustableusing said software program of said mobile computing device.
 10. Thesystem of claim 1, further comprising: a room monitoring systemcomprising a microphone and a remote monitoring device comprising aspeaker, said remote monitoring device configured to receive audiocommunications from said monitoring system microphone; said eventdetector comprising a speaker configured to produce an audible alertupon the detection of said substance in the vicinity of said detector;and wherein said room monitoring system alerts the user via said remotemonitoring device speaker.
 11. The system of claim 10, furthercomprising: said room monitoring system comprising a remote camera, andsaid remote monitoring device comprising a video display for displayinga live video feed recorded by said remote camera; said event detectorcomprising a lighted region of said event detector housing configured toproduce a visual alert upon the detection of said respective first andsecond broadband gas spectrums in the vicinity of said detector; andwherein said room monitoring system alerts the user via said remotemonitoring device video display.
 12. The system of claim 12, whereinsaid lighted region of said event detector housing comprises a graphicaluser interface.
 13. The system of claim 1, further comprising: saidevent is selected from an event in the list comprising: fecal event,urine event and emesis event.
 14. The system of claim 1, furthercomprising: said notification device comprising a Wi-Fi antenna forcommunicating with a mobile computing device, said mobile computingdevice including a graphical user interface (GUI), a communicationsantenna, and a microprocessor.
 15. The system of claim 14, furthercomprising a Wi-Fi transceiver configured to receive communication datafrom said event detector and transmit said communication data to saidmobile computing device.